Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at nearly $490,000 hidden within a Nissan Maxima.

On April 20, at the Gateway International Bridge, CBP officers came in contact with a dark green 1996 Nissan Maxima driven by a 37-year-old female and occupied by a 45-year-old male passenger both Mexican citizens and residents of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The primary CBP officer referred the driver, passenger and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. At secondary, CBP officers discovered a total of seven packages containing approximately 15.3 pounds of cocaine hidden within the vehicle.

CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge discovered 15 pounds of cocaine hidden in a vehicle driven by a Mexican national.

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $489,600. CBP officers turned the narcotics, driver, passenger and vehicle over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation.

"Our officers on the frontline continue to stop these dangerous drugs from entering the country," said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville Port of Entry. "This interception is another example of the great work being done on the border by CBP to help secure our homeland."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.